Short Circuit Study

What is a Short Circuit Study / Electrical Failure Analysis?

The National Electrical Code® requires that all short circuit interrupting devices have ratings sufficient for the current which must be interrupted. A severe fault (short circuit) can have catastrophic consequences on your electrical system. An Electrical Fault Analysis will provide the information required to determine if the interrupting capacities of the power system components are adequate enough to protect your power system.

The study, also called a Short Circuit Analysis or Study, can been calculated with the utility as the source, generator as the source, or multiple generators in parallel. The utility source is usually substantially greater and is the value used for minimum acceptable equipment ratings. A complete calculation copy is provided for the largest source situation in order to give you complete analysis so that you can have optimal protection.

Note: A Fault Analysis, Fault Study, Short Circuit Study, Fault Study Analysis, Short Circuit Study Analysis, and Fault Studies are the same thing.

One Line WTP#3 Analysis diagram showing electrical power distribution system

Why should I have a Short Circuit Analysis performed?

The Short Circuit Study can reduce the risk your company faces as well as help to avoid catastrophic losses. Electrical systems often go through changes without consideration of short circuit level and equipment rating changes. New buildings and installations aren't immune, and fault levels can vary between systems and locations. Keep in mind, that ALL systems will fault at some point! A Fault Analysis Study will help you avoid extensive equipment and system damage, and personnel injury because of under-rated equipment in the event of a fault.

Fault Analysis Summary showing bus voltages and available fault currents

What do we include in our Electrical Failure Analysis?

Our study will provide your engineers important information to evaluate and optimize your facility including base information and assumptions, three phase bolted fault calculations, single line to ground, and line to line. The results of the short circuit study are summarized in a Device Evaluation Table providing the short circuit available and the rating of the equipment then denoting a pass or fail for the device.

We develop a computer model of your electrical system.

We calculate the maximum fault levels at various locations.

We evaluate the application of breakers and fuses.

We indentify problem areas in your system.

We provide recommended solutions.